Pershing students learn importance of Internet safety

Published 7:00 pm, Thursday, May 31, 2007

Houston ISD officials stressed the importance of being vigilant about safety this summer to a few dozen Pershing Middle School parents and students last week.

“Summer is right on us, it’s a great time to kind of relax from our studies, but also, it’s a time to be careful,” West Region Superintendent Scott Van Beck said.

The students were warned to be careful when using social networking Web sites like MySpace.com or chatting with programs like AOL Instant Messenger and immediately report any suspicious behavior to their parents.

Internet safety expert Cpl. James Bridges said personal information like names, passwords, addresses, credit card, phone and social security numbers should never be shared through such media, even if a friend is believed to be on the receiving end.

He also recommended parents purchase software to block inappropriate material and Web sites and regularly check the Internet history and message archives of computers used by their children.

He also warned children not to trust strangers who attempt to contact them online through media like MySpace.com or chat rooms and to alert parents if they do. Above all, he warned “Do not ever make arrangements to meet anyone you meet on the Internet in person.”

One student told Bridges a registered sex offender living in his neighborhood once attempted to contact him via MySpace.com.

“He wanted to be my friend and I didn’t know what to do,” he said.

The pupil said he alerted his parents, turned off the computer and locked his doors.

But the Internet isn’t the only place children can get into trouble. Houston ISD Police Chief Charles Wiley encouraged parents to lock up potentially dangerous household items like guns, prescription medication, spare car keys and alcohol to prevent youngsters from falling into danger.

“Even though parents may trust their children, they may not be able to trust their children’s friends who may show up at their house while they are at work,” Wiley said.

He told children that if they happen to find an unsecured weapon they should never touch or play with it; instead they should ask their parents to put it away.

Wiley also encouraged children to travel in groups because there is strength in numbers and to tell parents where they are at all times.

“There is not a day that goes by when I don’t worry about losing one of you,” Van Beck said.